In pro wrestling — not just the biggest promotion in North America, WWE — presentation is everything. Besides stuff like music or even one’s physical look, one important aspect of a wrestler’s presentation is their ring gear. On top of looking like it’s of a decent quality (in other words, not cheap), it has to fit a wrestler’s body, fit their persona, and look aesthetically pleasing.
13 Best Pieces Of Entrance Gear During WWE's Golden Era
The Golden Era featured some of the flashiest and most iconic entrance ring gear in WWE history.That said, even a company like WWE has its share of misfires. Let’s take a look at the current WWE roster — not just wrestlers appearing on Raw and SmackDown, but also on NXT — and highlight some of the weakest outfits going on these days.
10 Andre Chase Wears A Sweater In The Ring
The Head Of Chase U Dresses A Bit Like Archie
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2021 | NXT Tag Team Champion |
One of the more beloved personalities in modern NXT is veteran Andre Chase, a wrestler who runs an obviously unaccredited college in WWE’s wrestling school for some reason. Chase’s Bobby Knight-esque character has made for some entertaining television, but it’s a bit weird that he wrestlers in the most normal clothes possible: a dress shirt under a sweater, slacks, and athletic sneakers. Never mind that he appears to be dressing like an mid-20th century college student — fans could work up a sweat just watching him wrestle fully clothed.
9 Natalya Is Regularly One Of WWE’s Worst-Dressed Stars
The Second-Generation Star Keeps The Pink & Black, At Least
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2007 | WWE Divas Championship, WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship, WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship |
Regardless of gender, Natalya is one of WWE’s most tenured veterans, which makes her easy to take for granted. A second generation star, the daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart has captured only a few titles in her run with the promotion so far. Her career’s had her ups and downs over the years, but one thing that’s undeniable is just how garish and over-designed her ring gear can be. Retaining the traditional Hart family pink and black motif, Natalya often opts for full bodysuits with lots of faux-revealing sheer elements that don’t often work.
8 Lexis King Looked Better In AEW
The Former Brian Pillman Jr. Looks Like He’s Wearing A Costume
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2023 | None |
Some fans may balk at the reinvention of AEW rookie Brian Pillman Jr. into NXT heel Lexis King, but the in-universe reasoning for denying his family legacy is tough to argue against. He’s still new to the roster, so there’s always room to improve, but one aspect that desperately needs improvement is his gear.
WWE Can Make Brian Pillman Jr. A Star Where AEW Failed
Brian Pillman Jr. had so much potential in AEW, but it's WWE that will know how to bring out the best in him.The conceit behind Lexis King’s look — mimic Brian Sr. but pretend not to — is sound, but as it is he looks like he threw together an Axl Rose costume on short notice.
7 Piper Niven Appears To Be Going For “Scottish Warrior”
WWE Already Has One Of Those
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2017 | WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, WWE 24/7 Championship (2x) |
Piper Niven’s WWE main roster debut saw her saddled with the ultimate ring-name-with-a-ceiling in Doudrop, a gimmick made even worse by the Bertha Faye style hair buns. Now back to her previous WWE-created ring name, Niven’s much improved than in her first appearances on Raw, but lately she’s begun wearing a costumey set of gear that looks straight out of Xena: Warrior Princess. Strangely, Piper Niven looked the most distinct with the tartan one-piece that’s often been her go-to look.
6 Baron Corbin Is So Close To Having Good Ring Gear
Corbin Appears To Be One Burnt Ship Away
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2012 | WWE United States Championship, Money In The Bank, King Of The Ring |
Baron Corbin is one of those WWE stars that’s willing to go down whatever path the writers set him off, sometimes to great success like that time he lost all of his money. Corbin’s been such a great loser that it’s easy to forget that he used to be a badass “Lone Wolf” character. Now a regular on his old stomping grounds of NXT, Corbin’s returned to his roots with his vaguely metal “Burn the Ships” gimmick, but he’s not quite there yet with his gear. Too often does Corbin wrestle wearing a T-shirt with the sleeves cut off and poorly designed pants that are too close to evoking the hated Constable Corbin than the Lone Wolf.
5 Von Wagner’s Gear Is Too Generic
This Second-Generation Star Needs Something More Distinct
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2019 | None |
Von Wagner is easily one of NXT’s strangest prospects. Pushed way too hard when the 2.0 era began — though he’s reportedly still destined for the main event — Wagner has gone from default babyface to monster heel and now to grudging babyface with some emotional vulnerability. He’s gigantic, has a distinct face, and a hilarious midwestern accent, but his gear leaves a lot to be desired. As of now, Von Wagner is often seen in generic wrestling tights with a stripe down opposite sides. It’s not necessarily his fault — Wagner the character is missing one element to really put him over the top, and once he gets it, his gear will surely follow suit.
4 Nia Jax Has Natalya Problems
The Controversial Star’s Outfits Are Often An Eyesore
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2015 | WWE Raw Women’s Championship, WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (2x) |
Easily one of the most controversial women to wrestle for modern WWE, Nia Jax spent several years as the promotion’s go-to monster heel, and fans were more than happy to criticize her in-ring abilities on a weekly basis. While sometimes those criticisms were needlessly uncharitable, her ring gear is certainly worthy of conversation.
Nia Jax Speaks Openly About How Much Online Hate From Fans Affected Her
Nia Jax has opened up about how much online hate affected her and her attempts to overcome it.Much like Natalya, Nia Jax is no stranger to body suits and sheer patches and overly ornate designs. However, putting Jax in bodysuits always seems like a decision made due to her size, though they tended to be deeply unflattering.
3 Omosapiens Deserve Better Than Omos’ Current Ring Gear
It’s Tough To Look Scary In A Tank Top
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2019 | WWE Raw Tag Team Championship |
It’s weird to realize, but Omos’ best ring gear might have been that brief stint he had as Akira Tozawa’s giant ninja. As someone whose size is his selling point, Omos is another one of those WWE stars whose in-ring skills are debatable. Billed at 7’3”, Omos’ height is certainly impressive, but his ring gear often undercuts his mystique. While his hoodie-based entrance gear can be very cool, Omos often wrestles in tights with disappointing designs and, worse, a matching tank top that often feels like the giant has some kayfabe insecurities about his physique.
2 Zoey Stark Has No Reason To Be Wrestling In Cut-Off Shirts
Stark Wore Them In Her “Thank You Trish” Era
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2021 | NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship |
One of the standouts of the NXT women’s division before moving up to the main roster in 2023, Zoey Stark has come into her own lately as a babyface following her run as Trish Stratus’ enforcer. While in her NXT run the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion wore regular ring gear, on the main roster she’s often seen wearing what appear to be regular pants, boots, and a cut-up version of her T-shirt. The use of the T-shirt made since when she was wearing the “Thank You Trish” shirts alongside Stratus, but now it just seems like she’s wrestling in regular clothes.
1 Angelo Dawkins Looks Worse Since Turning Heel
Few Could Have Expected To Miss The Shorts
WWE Debut Year | Accomplishments |
2012 | NXT Tag Team Championship, WWE Raw Tag Team Championship, WWE SmackDown TAg Team Championship |
The visual dynamic of The Street Profits was always funny, even going back to NXT. While Montez Ford seemed to always wear tights while baring his chest for all to see, Angelo Dawkins was usually decked out in baggy shorts and a singlet. It wasn’t the most flattering outfit, but it made ‘Tez look even better by comparison. Now that The Profits are heels alongside Bobby Lashley, Dawkins has tweaked his look, and looks worse for it. As hilariously frumpy as the shorts could be, it gave him a distinctiveness that he lacks without them.
